The average American spends 4.65 hours on their phone every day. If you’re a foreman or construction project manager, your daily usage likely eclipses that already astounding mark. You need a strong mobile presence that’s reliable and secure for your project’s most vital details.
For construction professionals in the field, several exceptional mobile apps for construction project management are worth reviewing. From scheduling and documentation to team communication and site monitoring, we encourage you to explore the unique benefits of each construction management mobile app to find the right fit for your team.
Construction project management apps streamline tasks, improve collaboration, and enhance productivity. As a construction professional, consider adding some of these apps to your digital toolbox so you’re ready for whatever the job throws at you.
Scheduling and Task Management Apps
Staying on task is key to completing jobs on time. Developers crafted these apps specifically to manage project timelines, assign and complete tasks, and monitor project milestones. If you struggle with timelines and scheduling, or you want to avoid that fear, check out these options:
Smartsheet
Streamline the phases of your construction project lifecycle to manage the tasks that lead to a completed project easily. Build out workflows for pre-construction, field safety, resource management, quality control, and RFI/RFP management to hit the ground running faster than with paper checklists alone.
Smartsheet also offers construction templates for in-office and on the jobsites and automates task assignments for standardized processes. Construction companies use Smartsheet to receive real-time project updates, collaborate on priority tasks, and scale operations.
Microsoft Project
Microsoft Project is a classic construction project management app. With dynamic scheduling, interactive dashboards, and task organization features, it is anything but dated. In fact, its robust feature set and affordable monthly subscription options make it one of the most compelling project management platforms available.
PlanGrid
PlanGrid offers comprehensive support for blueprint and document-related tasks, allowing for seamless collaboration and annotation tools. These tools ensure early tasks are on-time, reducing project delays and cost overruns.
Document and Blueprint Management Apps
1999 called, and they want their paper documents and filing cabinets back. Today, digital methods exist for storing, viewing, and sharing important documents, like blueprints, building permits, and insurance coverage.
Construction professionals on the go should add these document management apps to their phones or tablets to stay connected to a virtual filing cabinet:
Procore
Procore offers data storage capabilities with no storage limits. It stores documents in protected folders, complete with security levels to prevent unauthorized access. Never lose a vital document again, as Procore backs up all data to serve as disaster recovery.
Procore also offers mobile document upload capabilities, allowing you to do more on the move. Plus, easily share files, log RFI responses and requests, and leverage version tracking to keep everyone on task.
Fieldwire
Fieldwire is undoubtedly one of the most comprehensive construction management apps available today. It lets you view high-quality blueprints, review the project schedule, receive task notifications, and delegate assignments to your team. It unifies document management, scheduling, reporting, markups, and mobile planning. Fieldwire is available for both Android and Apple device users.
Autodesk Build
Another comprehensive construction management app is Autodesk Build, which is complete with tools to manage files, connect RFIs, conduct straightforward meetings, and provide quality assurance. Share crucial docs with team members, mark up design changes, ensure safety compliance, and send updates to vested stakeholders.
Tools that centralize and unify documents and blueprints keep teams from losing files, which is essential to completing projects without issue. Automation features further reduce human error and boost productivity by removing the manual tasks associated with dull administrative work.
Budgeting and Cost Tracking Apps
It would be liberating to complete projects without the constraints of budgets. Unfortunately, cost control is part of the business, and improper management of finances can cause disastrous problems for investors, construction project managers, and even the workers themselves.
To prevent an angry mob hungry for their paychecks, check out these apps that help with budgeting and cost tracking:
- Buildertrend: Residential home builders are on tight budgets, and Buildertrend brings budget tracking, expense management, and invoicing to your construction business. With automation functionality, you can regain countless hours spent on financial tasks and keep finances organized.
- CMiC: Construction industry-leading accounting software designed to connect your general ledger and job costing software. CMiC offers accounts payable, accounts receivable, consolidated general ledger, and billing features in one unified package.
- Jonas Premier: Premium budgeting tools, A/P and A/R features, and integration capabilities with other construction management software. Jonas Premier is an all-in-one solution with real-time expense tracking and reporting, which are key features to protect your bottom line.
Team Communication and Collaboration Apps
Reliable communication is the cornerstone of success, and these communication and collaboration tools are perfect for keeping everyone connected and on the same page:
- Slack: Enjoy instant messaging and group chat capabilities available on virtually any device. Slack enables real-time updates and collaboration for on-site and remote teams, connecting everyone with a single app.
- Microsoft Teams: Microsoft Teams supports video calls, document sharing, and integration with other Microsoft products, like Microsoft Project, making it ideal for team coordination. It’s also free to use for most users, saving money on software costs.
- CoConstruct: Stay connected with construction teams and clients with software that allows you to share project details and updates for seamless collaboration. With CoConstruct, you can even transmit invoices and payment information securely to get paid faster.
Communication between team members, general contractors, subcontractors, and clients is essential in preventing misunderstandings. When everyone is on the same page, you gain access to collaborative states that produce high-quality results.
Site Monitoring and Field Data Collection Apps
Managing multiple projects is a good sign that your company is growing and attracting the right kinds of business. Yet, with the increase in responsibilities, it becomes crucial to stay in the loop even when you can’t physically be on-site.
Take a look at some of our favorite remote site monitoring, data collection, and field reporting applications you should download today:
- TrueLook: Real-time, high-quality live video feeds across your sites are possible with TrueLook. Combine cameras with advanced documentation, giving project managers a comprehensive overview of any jobsite at a moment’s notice.
- Raken: Raken is a field manager’s best friend, thanks to its digital tools for daily reporting, photo documentation, and field data collection. You can track everything from hours to safety and quality from your phone, helping you track progress.
- DroneDeploy: Capture drone-based images and videos with DroneDeploy’s monitoring functionality. Provides valuable data for progress analysis and project tracking using views only obtainable from the air.
While some of these solutions require additional hardware installations, they’re well worth the extra effort. For example, a remote live view or time-lapse video using TrueLook’s cameras can provide you with an unparalleled view of your construction sites, keeping tabs on progress and safety compliance.
Quality Assurance and Punch List Management Apps
Finally, when your projects come to a close, quality assurance becomes a top priority. These apps focus on quality checks, punch list management, and final inspections to ensure every project meets client expectations and industry standards:
- Buildertrend: Buildertrend is already a favorite for its financial management features, but its punch list features are worth talking about, too. Buildertrend’s punch list and final inspection capabilities allow managers to log and track necessary repairs or corrections before project handoff.
- Procore (QA Module): Procore’s QA capabilities for tracking quality issues, managing punch lists, and documenting resolutions reduce safety incidents and rework.
- Bluebeam Revu: Bluebeam Revu supports digital documentation of punch lists, allowing team members to annotate issues directly on digital blueprints and ensuring you finish construction by project deadlines. Bluebeam’s integrations also keep everyone unified, regardless of which digital tools they use.
These apps streamline the punch list and quality assurance process, reducing the chances of post-project fixes and enhancing client satisfaction. Prevent rework, quality assurance issues, and cost overruns by incorporating one of these apps into your tech stack.
Transform Your Project Management
Construction project management software helps business owners and managers stay organized, streamline manual tasks, improve communications, and manage finances. These construction project management apps enhance every aspect of project management, from project scheduling and budgeting to quality control and field data collection and everything in between.
Advanced construction tools, including TrueLook, can take your project management efforts to the next level. Incorporate TrueLook as part of your project management toolkit and boost your construction site visibility and documentation. Try a demo today and invest in improved jobsite insight!
